Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,183 comments Add your comment
Lew
November 10th, 2012
9:47 am
All this talk about trying to trade for a great prospect – we already have a very young team and maybe they would prefer to have a veteran or two.
Efrim
November 10th, 2012
9:47 am
I think Gattis needs more time in the minors. He only has like 900 plate appearances. I’d like to see him put a full year in Triple-A. LF/C working on both defensive posiitons.
I hope we go after a back up like Kelly Shoppach or some other RH bat. Not a fan of Ronny Paulina, Miguel Olivo types. Much rather have a guy like Shoppach.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
9:47 am
How much catching was Gattis planning on doing in Venezuela? Needs to do some more
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
9:48 am
I hope he does not lose his confidence as a MLB player and just forgets about it.
By impairment I meant traumatized by his performance in the WC. And we don’t know that he hasn’t long shaken it off. I bet he has.
Efrim
November 10th, 2012
9:48 am
Yeah, Lew. As much as I like Olt and Myers – Braves need veterans or at least a guy in his prime years. Another 23 year old is probably not a smart route to go, although not the worst.
Ray
November 10th, 2012
9:49 am
Not paying a backup catcher over 3m a year is not going on the cheap. Its being smart. Yes Ross is probably the best back up catcher in the game but you just can’t pay that for a back up. It makes no sense.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
9:49 am
Considering that Ross might’ve gotten 80 starts next year, I’m not sure that 3.1 mil would’ve been such a massive overpay.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
9:50 am
But I’m not seeing a veteran catcher to fill in for a month or so as a major need or being the necessary veteran presence.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
9:51 am
Those 30-50 starts at the beginning of the year w/ out Mac? Plus the regular off days he gets (which may be increased this year…)
Can’t just go with some scrub
Lew
November 10th, 2012
9:52 am
Efrim – Yeah, we’ve just lost Chipper, Ross and Hinske – three of our older veteran players. Youth is good, but a mix might be better.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
9:54 am
I wonder how much of a surprise losing Ross was to Wren? If he had a pretty good idea he’d leave for a better offer, he might already be in the process of filing his spot.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
9:55 am
Kelly Shoppach or Gerald Laird could be on the radar I hope.
Bethancourt is not MLB till 15 if he can even learn to hit .220/.300 at this level. We know he has no power. His glove better be darned good as he moves up.
PuddyCat
November 10th, 2012
9:56 am
old man
November 10th, 2012
9:18 am
Pacheco splits, home away, OPS+, 136/84.
Not so sure.
147 hits .341 OBP 32 doubles for part time backup that plays 4 positions and one is backup Catcher
Braves have full time players that don’t reach 147 hits 32 doubles
yeah pass
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
9:56 am
Hinskie does not count.
Ross is a loss but fillable cause there are servicable options out there.
DiamondbackMac
November 10th, 2012
9:57 am
Lew – Confidence in Gattis might be the reason that the Braves let Ross walk.
and – I wonder how much of a surprise losing Ross was to Wren? If he had a pretty good idea he’d leave for a better offer, he might already be in the process of filing his spot.
This is why I don’t comment much. It’s like you pull the thoughts right out of my head, so why bother.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
9:58 am
Braves need ….a guy in his prime years.
Eliminating Willingham. Pence, Upton, Ross it is!
(creative editing used)
Couch Tater
November 10th, 2012
10:03 am
Can’t blame Ross for taking care of his future.
What??? This is the Braves blog!!! Of course, we can. He is the
Mark TexeraTexieriaTex of back up catchers. I’ll never shop at Ross Dress for Less again!TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
10:03 am
Gattis or Doumit at backup C for first month, need another guy behind them (really hope not Boscan)
Get a LF (Upton, Pence, Willy)
Get a CF (Jay, Bourjos, Span)
Trade Hanson and Maholm
Get a good SP
Get a power RH for the pen.
Later y’all. Peace.
old man
November 10th, 2012
10:06 am
TOBF
Simmons is already a .700 OPS player. Last year he was .751, and his OPS+ was 101, outstanding for a SS. And just a rookie.
No way we trade him. No way.
His Games/Plate Appearances/At Bats were 49/182/166. Is he eligible for ROY in 2013?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
10:09 am
Doumit is making 3.5 mil next season. Why would you trade for him to be a backup?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
10:11 am
yeah, in 49 games. There are still questions about his hitting ability. We all know Janish cant hit, yet he hit .260 one year over 80 games (228 ABs).
Would like to see him do it over a longer period of time (full season)
Nope, not eligible for ROY next year. He had too many ABs this season
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:14 am
I’ll never shop at Ross Dress for Less again!
And such nice clothes at bargain prices!
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
10:16 am
He’d be backing up many positions. C, 1B, LF, RF. Very versatile. Not strictly a catcher. Plus, he’d start for about a month or 2, and I’m sure will get many starts throughout the season.
Unless there’s a cheaper, but nearly as good performer, I’d take him.
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:17 am
Doumit is making 3.5 mil next season. Why would you trade for him to be a backup?
Because as I understand it, Doumit can play 1B and the corner OF slots. He’d get ABs aplenty. And if McCann isn’t cutting it due to his health, he’s a capable front line catcher.
But who knows if he’s available and what the Twins would want in return for him.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:18 am
If they wanted to spend $3.5 mil on a backupo catcher, Ross would probably still be a Brave.
Couch Tater
November 10th, 2012
10:20 am
nice clothes at bargain prices!
The official clothier of Liberty Media Corp.. : )
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:22 am
Doumit is more than a backup, Lew. What if Wren could acquire him and he wound up platooning with Johnson in LF?
Just a thought.
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:23 am
So now we need span, willingham and doumit from he Twins?????
Anybody else on our wish list?
Forgot prying away Sano as well
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:23 am
The official clothier of Liberty Media Corp.. : )
Are you sure? I’m thinking more Wal-Mart kinda folk.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
10:24 am
Sounds like, by the time we’re done with them, the Twins will have Ben Revere and no one else in the outfield.
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:24 am
David Ross was the best back up catcher in the league but he is not an everyday catcher. Best wishes to Him.
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:24 am
So now we need span, willingham and doumit from he Twins?????
Ain’t going to get all three, of course, unless it’s the mother of all deals.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:25 am
Jeff R – Just not seeing that one at all. And I’m doubting they trade for a one month starting catcher that will likely start another couple dozen or so times the rest of the year.
People want to see a trade for Willingham, Span, a [pitcher, now a catcher, etc. Not sure where everyone thinks that all these trade pieces are coming from. Wren isn’t going to start liquidating the ML team and we just don’t have that many decent trade pieces in the minors. Somewhere along the line they will have to hit the Free Agent market. Just no other wway around it.
Unless, of course, Wren pulls in all pieces in a single large deal and I’m not seeing that either.
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:25 am
Sounds like, by the time we’re done with them, the Twins will have Ben Revere and no one else in the outfield.
Resign and send ‘em Diaz and Hinske. Problem solved.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
10:26 am
Ah, but it would be cheaper to have Gattis platoon with Johnson in left… when he’s not catching, that is.
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:27 am
The braves will be able to pick up a catcher on a 1 year contract. CF and LF/3B still our critical pick ups. If we fill those 2 positions well, it will not really matter who our 2nd catcher is
Jeff R
November 10th, 2012
10:28 am
Lew, I see your point. I think if you go after a Doumit, you don’t purse a left fielder. He can play that position in a platoon. Maybe go for a package with Span/Doumit. Or go for Fowler who’d command less than Span, I think.
Again, just Fantasy League thinking. No clue as to what is really doable.
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:29 am
My point exactly Jeff R.
Sounds like we need to start with Span or Willingham and then go from there
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:29 am
My point exactly Jeff R.
Sounds like we need to start with Span or Willingham and then go from there
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:29 am
My point exactly Jeff R.
Sounds like we need to start with Span or Willingham and then go from there
braveslifer
November 10th, 2012
10:29 am
Just a little perspective. Last year Ross was worth 1.5 WAR over 196 PA. Doumit was worth 1.6 WAR over 528. Ross’ contract averages $3.1M a year and Doumi’s contract is $3.5M a year. Doumit is also under contract so the Braves would have give up resources to acquire him. So basically the argument is you want to trade for a player that is not as good as Ross and more expensive because he can play corner outfield (only 22 games last year). As you probably assume I am not a fan of this.
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:30 am
Computer cramp- sorry for the duplicate comments
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:32 am
Would anyone consider sending Prado to the dbacks for Justin Upton as the center pieces in a deal?
DAP
November 10th, 2012
10:33 am
what!?! we lost david ross!?! crap, man.
brian
November 10th, 2012
10:33 am
Lifer – I agree. We should keep our focus on either span or willingham
DAP
November 10th, 2012
10:35 am
hugo Doumit is making 3.5 mil next season. Why would you trade for him to be a backup?
because he backs up C, 1st, LF and RF. he is basically david ross and eric hinske combined. how much did those two make together?
anyways, i think doumit is a good option, especially with ross gone.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:35 am
brian – No.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
10:36 am
I dunno, a two-year deal with Ross and you’d have a bridge to the next catcher if McCann is no longer a Brave after 2013. But maybe one of our fabulous minor league catchers is ready now. It certainly worked with Pastornicky…
FEAR
November 10th, 2012
10:39 am
Ross signs with Red Sux. I can’t believe how cheap this team is. He is one of the best backups and potential starting catchers in mlb and we can’t resign him. Pathetic.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:39 am
It doesn’t really matter what other positions Doumit plays if he’s going to be your back up catcher. What do you do if he’s playing 1B? Who is your back up catcher then? If he’s platooning with Johnson (whomisn’t even signed right now) in LF?
You need a back up catcher that is a catcher.
unbelievable
November 10th, 2012
10:45 am
Really surprised the Braves wouldnt offer Ross a 2yr deal at $6M. Bmac is out until May at the earliest. Betancourt is no where near ready and Gattis was moved to LF. There wasnt much risk with keeping Ross around. Really surprised with the available funds that the decision was made to let him walk.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
10:46 am
DAP, I’ll refer you to Braveslifer’s assessment of Doumit’s value. And I think I’d rather have Ross and Johnson to fill those functions…
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:51 am
Ross will be 36 during Spring Training. Maybe the Braves didn’t want to give him a two year deal that would have him there as a 38 year old who was already having leg issues late last season with Gattis and Betancourt waiting in the wings.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 10th, 2012
10:52 am
we need a backup c who is a catcher….
Boscan fits that.
later
Mixxo
November 10th, 2012
10:56 am
what!?! we lost david ross!?! crap, man.
Yeah, this totally SUX!
Even at 36, he’s still tons better than that fat azz ’starter’ we have…..leg issues notwithstanding.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:56 am
Excuse me – he would be 37 in his second year – still not very young.
And as for a backup catcher who is just a catcher – doesn’t mean it has to be Boscan – so quit being a jerk about everything I say. But it doesn’t mean they are going to get someone who will play five positions when as a back up catcher he wouldn’t actually BE playig those other positions AND maybe they don’t want to spend three mil on a backup catcher anymore than you want to spend it on a number five starter or a lock down set up man.
phil
November 10th, 2012
10:58 am
Our team is going to slowly slide into obscurity with no means to pay the players adequately….
Writing appears to be on the wall. No way we can ever sign a big time FA or two, plus keep heyward, freeman, simmons and mccann, not to mention prado, long term. Never mind kimbrel.
Much more frustration ahead of us.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
10:59 am
Mixxo – Yeah, because at 30, McCann is in decilne, but at 36, Ross isn’t? Makes sense. Well, not really.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
11:00 am
David O’Brien@ajcbraves
#Braves valued D. Ross on field and in clubhouse, but w/ their payroll weren’t going to pay that much for 36-yr-old backup catcher
With their payroll? What about with the 25 mil in new tv money coming the second year of this lavish contract?
ROLLTIDEBRAVE
November 10th, 2012
11:06 am
Wonder if there was any validity to Harold Reynolds saying last night on MLBN that the Rangers were trying to get Rev from the Braves. We now know they tried to get Simmons though.
Nowhere man
November 10th, 2012
11:08 am
This is a team that gave huge contracts to Lowe and KK and yet can’t give Ross enough to stay?
Lew
November 10th, 2012
11:09 am
I’d trade Pastornicky to the Rangers if they want him.
Nowhere man
November 10th, 2012
11:10 am
If Mac was ready to start the season the loss of Ross wouldn’t be so bad.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
11:11 am
Did anyone consider that maybe it was Ross who made the decision to leave – maybe for more playing time since he’s at the end of his career and realized that once Mac was back, he’d go back to playing once ever week or ten days?
Bravedan
November 10th, 2012
11:12 am
Harold Reynolds mentioned yesterday that the Rangers were interested in Pastornicky. To keep or to flip? I’d send them Patornicky for Michael Young straight up as long as they pay all or most of Young’s salary; he’s in the final year of his contract and could play third for one year and provide veteran leadership that we are now lacking.
ccrider
November 10th, 2012
11:16 am
IF, there was some validity to the Rangers interest in Pastornicky, could it be with Pastornicky they would be comfortable trading Elvis to get Upton and letting Profar start. They might project the REV as a Starting 2nd baseman down the road.
Would that open up a Delgado/Pastornicky trade for Mike Olt?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
11:21 am
Lew, your suggestion at 11:11 seems very unlikely, given Ross’ past comments on playing time.
Mitchie-sand
November 10th, 2012
11:22 am
You guys mention Boscan. Is he not a free agent?
Bat Masterson
November 10th, 2012
11:26 am
macc had 14 doubles in 439 at bats
juan had 11 in 192, and juan has a hole in his swing? _ uga-brave
I don’t get this uga…….. Maybe I missed the reporting on Juan’s injuries/surgery, silver slugers, all star seasons, all that ……….
Why not just say, I want to get rid of Heap because…….. Then just list your reasons.
I mean why compare a star to? Hell, I don’t even know…….. A guy that may, if he works hard, become some guy, someday
Braves Fan In Maine
November 10th, 2012
11:27 am
Oh I hope the braves are making good decisions and the way its going I wonder if the braves are trying to go cheap and just bring up players!!
braveslifer
November 10th, 2012
11:31 am
I like your idea ccrider. It looks good for everyone involved.
Texas: Upton and Pastornicky
AZ: Andrus and Delgado
braveslifer
November 10th, 2012
11:33 am
ATL: mike olt
braveslifer
November 10th, 2012
11:33 am
ATL: mike olt
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2012
11:33 am
Braves lose D. Ross to Red Sox
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/11/10/braves-lose-catcher-ross-to-red-sox/
Venice Jim
November 10th, 2012
11:37 am
DOB
Check paragraph 4 in the article
Gil in Mechanicsville
November 10th, 2012
11:40 am
Good morning folks, Wren and co will not sign a back up catcher based on his offensive prowess. Like shortstop, it is primarily a place you look for defense as the primary requirement. Offense from either of those two positions is gravy. By offense, I mean anyone who can hit for .250 or better.
Not saying offense is not important, just that defense up the middle is primary concern.
Brian McCann will not make $13 million next season because of his ability to call a good game or throw out base runners.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
11:40 am
If Ross is making $3.1 mil a year for those two years, it’s pretty close to double what he’s made as a Braves the past two years.
Seriously – Was Ross going to be worth a 100% raise for his 36 and 37 year old seasons?
FEAR
November 10th, 2012
11:43 am
…..or throw out base runners. Hahahaha
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
11:44 am
What Ross made in the past was irrelevant. What he’s worth now is what the market is willing to pay, nothing else.
Nowhere man
November 10th, 2012
11:44 am
once a teacher…
Nowhere man
November 10th, 2012
11:45 am
For what Ross gave to the team he was a bargain in the past.
Lew
November 10th, 2012
11:47 am
And what the market was willing to pay – both in terms of years and money per year was more than the Braves were willing to pay. That’s capitalism at work there.
There are other back up catchers who can play those 60 or so games Ross would have played. It’s a shame to see him go – he was a great guy (and I really liked his and Mac’s Fireworks commercial)and a solid back up – but it’s not the tragedy some are making it out to be.
Ray
November 10th, 2012
11:48 am
Of course its not Ross’ decision. Its only the Braves decision to be cheap and not over pay for a back up. We all know its Wren and ownership to blame… never ever the players decision. And for those that have that mentality, this was said with sarcasm.
Nowhere man
November 10th, 2012
11:51 am
Team is getting younger with the loss of Chipper and Ross. Huddy will need to take on more of a leadership role.
DAP
November 10th, 2012
11:52 am
lew Not sure where everyone thinks that all these trade pieces are coming from. Wren isn’t going to start liquidating the ML team and we just don’t have that many decent trade pieces in the minors. Somewhere along the line they will have to hit the Free Agent market.
i think people are just throwing out potential trade targets. dont have to trade for all of them. wren has to have several tracks he can take to meet his goals.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
11:55 am
I think I would term losing Ross more of a “minor disappointment” than a “tragedy.”
Mixxo
November 10th, 2012
11:56 am
I’m not sure Huddy has leader panache.
Marteen leads by example but, that’s about it. We don’t have a true leader.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
November 10th, 2012
12:02 pm
Now Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez splitting up, that’s a tragedy…
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2012
12:07 pm
In blog, meant to write best BACKUP catcher in baseball. Fixed now.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:09 pm
Other teams can ask about Simmons all they want — I would too.
But we do not have to move him — he is too irreplacable for short.
Young, cheap and with upside. Why would the Braves move a young cheap everyday player with upside for a more expensive vet.
Look how cheap this team is run. I do not believe for one minute they will spend the alleaged 20-25 mil on payroll.
Its ther money they can do what they want with it.
DAP
November 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
hugo And I think I’d rather have Ross and Johnson to fill those functions…
well you cant have ross, so youre gonna have to think of something else.
lew Did anyone consider that maybe it was Ross who made the decision to leave – maybe for more playing time
uh…yeah. but probably for the $$$, not the playing time.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
I am afreid we will lose Prado after ‘14.
He will be missed. Mc Cann is gone after next yr — we will be tread bare behind the plate in ‘14, real thread bare. Will be going with minor league talent like Gattis and or Bethancourt and hope its gonna be okay.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:14 pm
i think people are just throwing out potential trade targets. dont have to trade for all of them. wren has to have several tracks he can take to meet his goals.
@DAP — that is what they do every off season. Fans and pundits alike — no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors but it does promote the business and interests of baseball.
Most trade rumors do not come to pass.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
Mixxo — I do think that there will be a leader from the young mix of Freddie, Jason and Simmons.
One of the young pitchers too.
A leader will evolve — Chipper evolved into a leadership role. Same with Smoltz. They were not the “leaders” right away.
George_George
November 10th, 2012
12:17 pm
No deals, but Braves say GM meetings productive
*************************************************
Good day all
The GM meetings would have been productive if GMs put pressure on BUD STUPID to change his stupid playoff system. We are stuck with two WC teams, but the two WCs should NOT play each other in first round, it is totally unfair to the team with better record and one game is outrageous. Why did GMs not bring this up? Are they all WIMPS? Afraid of BUDDY?
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:19 pm
Hugo — I say its a solid disaapoiintment, much of the buzz is how the team has been run since Ted lost control of the teams and things have been corporate since the end of the 03 season.
Fans do not like it, austerity sucks. Every fan wants to be run like the big spenders, it does not guarantee anything but it gives fans feel good stories in the off season.
The Braves have somewhat overcome the corporate approach to the Hot Stove League. Well, at least they do matter.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:22 pm
I think that we are getting a mid tiered platoon type FA for LF.
George_George
November 10th, 2012
12:27 pm
David O’Brien
November 10th, 2012
11:33 am
Braves lose D. Ross to Red Sox
**************************
I hope DAVID has lost his mind or is kidding. I am sure we would resign DAVID ROSS, even more improtant we do so with BRIAN not going to be ready to start season.
Disgusted
November 10th, 2012
12:31 pm
The David Ross issue is over with George — hey, Gattis just might be able to do it.
He could be what they are hyping him to be so it is what it is.
Gattis might be your C for 2014. He’ll be cheap and controllable.
George_George
November 10th, 2012
12:34 pm
Just read DAVID’s story. WTF did BRAVES not match SOX offer? We are going to start season with BOSCAN at catcher? HOW SAD IS THAT?